Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Chapter 31: New clothes~! My walled up self

But he didn’t like the business shirts cut to size, they were too tight. I chose a couple of vertical stripes, red, blue, black. Lestat gave big scowls and shook his head at them. Do you think I need new nightclothing? I want outing clothes. He said dryly.

“Don’t you have lace or silk?” They stared incredulously.
I laughed. “Oh, he likes costume of the 1800s. That’s why I’d like you to recommend us some contemporary fashions.” Stress of the C-word.

Bianca------ he moaned. I elbowed him.

A sleeveless one that was a nice yellow, ducked low to his chest. I thought he looked wonderful. And it wasn’t too tight. Lestat chose other shirts that had long sleeves, some of which had a little fake lace at the sleeves. I got my way for one particularly smart grey top with black collar.

Cherie, you won’t want people to see us together, if I’m in ancient wear?

Yep.

His teeth showed briefly as he gave a deep belly laugh. Oooho. I do not believe you. We like each other too much. He put a guiding hand on my back as we stepped over the kerb.

That was how we met.---- I mused---- When you asked me to be friends, you sounded so lost and needy…. Strangers wouldn’t know this side of you.

Puppy agreed, Yea. I’m not as aloof as I pretend to be. I want to open all our hearts and join them like this (jigsaw fixing)

Lestat. I said his name, smiling. When I say I smile, I’m actually truly doing it inside my head. Yup yup yup.

Yes? He replied, hugging me a little, then releasing me. Glanced towards the trees.

“Our tree. Do you know where it is from here?” He took my hand. We floated upwards. He’s recovered from poisoning, but he needs to take care. Floating upwards gently is less exertion.


“Allow me.” When I nodded, the vampire shifted to holding my waist. “Don’t let go.” I giggled, the wind in my hair and face. How to describe this…. You know how superman flies horizontal forwards? It’s not like this, more flexible. We alternated in different positions, sitting, lying down and standing while we flew.

Touchdown. So Cool! I jumped happily. Our clothes windtossed, hair tousled, some leaves in them. He brushed one from my hair. I didn’t know why, but I twisted away when he bent to kiss me.

His grey eyes showed the pain. “I have to be wary.”

I brushed this off. “Yep you’re right. The tree is over there. C’mon.” After a while I asked if he meant, or ever yearned, to give me the Gift.

Sigh. “Bianca. No. You sense my urge? It comes to a point where it happened. But I won’t, I’ll control it. I can do that. And your blood is poisonous to our race. Miss Krystal.”

When he addressed me, I felt cold. But I wanted Lestat to keep away didn’t I? “It is. I didn’t know.”

The blond walked beside me, lost in thought for a bit there. Thickly, he continued, “It is. I read it from the Chronicles of the Shapers, the one you lent me. I should return it to you one day. Remind me… (poignant) Krys, why do you guard against me? We are not enemies.”

I unfurled my wings, experienced the slight temperature- rise when I willed my body to soften and Change. I flew up the Tree and landed on the top branch. Lestat leapt up agilely, then sat beside me with his legs crossed. The black trousers pressed against his fair skin. Sweat on his face and throat. The light blue shirt was unbuttoned. I looked away.

Fine. Let’s talk--- I plunged ahead not allowing him to speak—I have to be wary around a Blood drinker. Your lessons carry this warning.

I hated myself for sounding so detached, as if I were instructing someone I loathed. I loved him to bits… But I couldn’t break the news just yet.

Lestat wiped his perspiration with his silk handkerchief. The reddish fluid was pinkish. “It is true. But must we always refrain, like this? It is so hard for me… everytime I wanna hold you close, you are afraid. It wasn’t a problem, until these few weeks. At the restaurant, in the theatre and now. Couldn’t you understand?”


I was annoyed. My voice was fierce, “Trust is hard. For our kind, we cannot be close. My family for instance, haven’t you noticed how cold my father’s to us? We’re wild animals, based on instincts. Nothing, nobody can be relied on. Since you’re vampire, you still stick to human principles. ”

The grey eyes were blue now. I didn’t dare look into them.
The shockwaves of head- pounding and some weeping. I sense you. we stick to human morals, but we’re not entirely. You do not? I sense that we cannot be together… but something you’re not saying. We’re different? I thought that isn’t important…. Bianca, could you talk to me? I wanna know. What has happened? He Probed me.

My friend was quite saddened. His hands were red when he rubbed his eyes.

I winced. Um, it’s what I meant to say. Just that. Take the leaf.

Stat plucked some to dab his eyes, sniffling.

To soften this, I think I said nothing would change, and I liked him plenty, along that line. I hugged him and he was surprised at my sudden intimacy.
“What’re you not saying?” Lestat asked.

No, not just yet…. So I switched. “Hey. I was thinking about this… why can’t you be together with one partner? For good?”
It was my last night and it took all my Will to face this truth.

**********


Lestat said without sound---- I have a true soulmate. Vampires do have soulmates. I realize my soulmate was Rowan Mayfair. She’s so fair, so lovely. (a sad faced lady in her thirties, long black hair shorter than mine, wearing a doctor shirt) I don’t care if she has given birth or has a husband. She is the Brainchild in Mayfair Medical Centre. Oversees all the biomedical things they conduct. I always admire smart people. All the stuff in movies count as nothing in this case. Me: “Indeed! I like smarties too.”

But we both suppressed our wants, our selfish forbidden romance.
I cannot make her give up, just cannot!

I didn’t catch that so I asked--- Give what up?

Lestat answered, Give up her life’s work on the hospital. She is going to find cures for Aids, for terminal sickness… Perhaps Rowan has already, I believe in her power. He stopped and looked directly at me. I want you to tell me frankly. You’re not yourself.

It is my last night here, I said angrily. I don’t want to go! But I can’t stay! (he was shocked, a flash of maroon distress) )My father wants to make me go with him. I cannot argue.

Lestat nodded. After some time, he mused, “So… you must be frustrated. I thought you could always stay too. Like you’ve wanted. And Louis and I could watch you grow up.” His pain washed inside of me. His tears were clown’s paint dripping down.

I couldn’t hold back the agony of parting from him. I was human once more. I pressed his shoulder.
I don’t want to go. Lestat, I love this place, all its wonders. I hate him.

Be brave. Maybe it will change. And we can come visit you.

I laughed shakily. Yea and he could both persuade them to let me stay here. On the spur, who knew if it might just work? I was too naïve and too angry that night. I held my friend as tightly as I could manage and let him console me.

The vampire pulled back first. “Hey will the tree feel pain when we cut it?”

“Yea. It can understand. I’ll teach you a phrase: say Maraquis- no diem- sierra lon. To every creature and thing that we are experiencing and to calm them down. We mean no harm, in peace.”

Solemnly he repeated after me as he cut the date in: we had a very meaningful night. Bianca is going to leave and we’re feeling downcast. Thank you. L.Dl and K.B
It was beautiful. “He understands,” I revealed.

Brat closed his eyes, tried to listen to the tree. I felt touched by his sincerity. “I know. I can feel his compassion for all the creatures, including myself, depending on him. He will always protect the secrets here. I hope we can protect him from deforestation too.”

**********

Operation Parents’ persuasion. We roped in Louis too, because it was going to take a hell of a fight to convince both mom and dad. The blond prince was nervous, wanted to select his clothes, so I came with Pointe first.

When the quiet preter entered, a silence cloaked over. My folks just couldn’t take their eyes off him. His Power was a tranquility and different from the Shout out charisma of most vampires. He sat close to them and spoke, “Sir, Madame, I would like to propose that Krystal live with us. We’re much aware of her needs. She’ll be happier here than going away.”

I didn’t speak to maintain the calmness. Dad frowned, as if to fight. Louis’s bright greens stared into his and he lay still. Louis repeated this once more. Kinda like hitting it home. I was so worried, on tenterhooks.

“Did it work?” I whispered. Louis looked strained. He shook his head.


“I tried my best. Here comes my lover. He’ll handle this.” Lestat de Lioncourt came in by the back door, hardly any sound. Dark glasses, checkered short sleeves. He smiled at me.
“Hi people. I ask you in all sincerity, Krystal wants to stay. Louis and I are loving every minute of taking care of her in your absence. Of course I do not mean we’re replacing you. Moving to a new country would be upsetting emotionally. I’m sure you’ll like her to be happy. What do you say?”

“Yes. Our daughter’s happiness is important,” my mom replied and took Lestat’s hand.

I waited for my father. He seemed to be still fighting the control, but it was weak. I looked at Pointe, who gave the thumbs up. “Hmm, all right. it sounds reasonable. But we’ll relocate to Russia. So I thought it’d be convenient to have the whole family together.”

For a moment, my dad awoke from the Persuasion my friends had given and glared hard at both of them. Hostile.

Lestat was thinking: one tough cookie and said firmer, “Ken, (my dad’s name) she’ll be happy here. I’ve always wanted a child. Louis right?”

The other guy said yea and replied, “It is not a problem. Go ahead and not worry. Everything is smooth going. Financial matters aren’t a problem for us. We know, we can take care of it all.”
Father took a lot of energy on both their parts. He was so STUBBORN! I was worried that my friends would need to collapse after this. Eventually, it was settled.

Louis rubbed his temple. Mum and dad said they’d start packing and left.

I noticed that Lestat was fighting not to swoon . “Hey Princie, are you alright? Thank you!”

He smiled wanly. I hugged him. His energy rose.

“I wanna crash. Do you have a spare room?”

*********

We saw Mom off at the airport two hours later, eleven o’clock flight. Since I wasn’t coming along, dad and her decided they would leave for Russia, Moscow already.

She was like a child again with Stat. he talked to her as if she were his mother. I felt jealous. Oi, she’s my mom, I shot to Brattie sulkily. She was so smitten that she didn’t look much at me.

Pleeeease. I have no mummy. Then he became like a son again to her and said all I wanted to say. Sucker up! But I’m teasing, of course I promised to share my good mummy. The great thing about them leaving was I could run free! That made me wave goodbye happily although I wouldn’t see her for another 4 months at least! Stat touched my hair.

He pinched me and said I was selfish. “Goodbye cherie! I’ll look after your children and make sure they grow plump and cute!”

“Hey!” I yelled and hit him. My fingers hurt.

Lestat grinned naughtily and held me easily at arm’s length.
Aaah. You’re so cute. No, school comes first. I promised Madame. No slacking..

Awww! C’mon time to let loose! You said I’m a kiddo, so I can play the fool. WOO!!! I cheered, jumping.
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